In Haggai 1, God tells His people to stop putting their own houses first and go back to work on building His house. Children aged about 5 to 11 can learn this lesson in 20 to 30 minutes, and the big idea fits in one sentence they can repeat: God wants His people to put Him first.
Big Idea
God wants us to put Him first, and when we do, He takes delight in what we do for Him.
Memory Verse
Haggai 1:8
Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Teach the children to point to their hearts when they say “Consider your ways,” then cup both hands together in front of them, like a builder carrying wood. Say the verse together three times, adding the builder motion each time.
The Story: Haggai 1 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Judah had come home from a faraway land where they had been prisoners. God had brought them back to their own country. Their first job was to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem, the temple, which had been destroyed. Zerubbabel was the governor, and Joshua was the high priest. They were the leaders of the people.
But the people had stopped working on God’s house. They said, “The time hasn’t come yet to build God’s house.” Instead, they started fixing up their own fancy houses with wood paneling. Their own homes were nice, but God’s house still lay in ruins.
God sent a prophet named Haggai to speak to them. God said, “Think about what you are doing. You plant many seeds, but you harvest very little. You eat and drink, but you are never full. Your money goes into a bag with holes in it.” The people were working hard, but nothing seemed to satisfy them, because they were not putting God first.
Haggai told them to go up into the hills, bring back wood, and build God’s house again. God said He would take pleasure in it and be honored. The people had looked for much, but it came to little, because God had been holding back blessing from them while His house sat empty.
The leaders and all the people listened to God’s voice. They felt respect and awe for God. God gave them this simple message: “I am with you.” God stirred up their spirits, and they went to work on the house of the Lord. The people obeyed, and they started building again.
Read It Together
Haggai 1:5-6
5 Now therefore this is what the LORD of Armies says: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don’t have enough. You drink, but you aren’t filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it.”
(WEB)
Point out how the people were busy and working hard, yet they still felt empty. Ask the children why they think hard work alone could not fill them up.
Haggai 1:9
“You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of Armies, “Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.
(WEB)
Show the children how God said that the people were busy with their own houses while His house lay in ruins. Explain that God wants us to notice where our time and energy go.
Haggai 1:13
Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Read this verse slowly and let the children hear it. Explain that God’s message to His people was a promise that He is always close to us when we follow Him.
Talk About It
- What did the people choose to do first instead of building God’s house?
- How do you think the people felt when they worked hard but were never satisfied?
- What does it look like to put God first in your day?
- Why do you think God said “I am with you” to the people?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that He matters most to you?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper House for God
You will need construction paper, glue, safety scissors, and crayons. Have each child draw and cut out a simple house, then glue it onto a larger sheet of paper that says “God’s House” across the top. Talk about how we can build God’s house in our hearts and in our lives every day.
Carry the Wood Relay
You will need a few small sticks or pencils and two empty cups or bowls. Divide the children into two teams. Each child races to carry one stick from a pile to a bowl, then returns to tag the next player. Afterward, talk about how the people of Judah carried wood to build God’s house.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch. Let each child write “Consider your ways” on one side and draw a simple picture of a house on the other. Punch a hole and add a loop of yarn so they can hang it on a bedroom doorknob. This will remind them to ask God what matters most each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter reminds us that God cares about our priorities. The people of Judah were not wrong to have homes, but they had let their own comfort push God aside. When God’s work is neglected, we often feel empty even when we are busy and successful.
Avoid suggesting to children that God withholds food or money as a punishment for every small mistake. Focus instead on the simple truth that God wants to be first in our hearts and that He promises to be with us.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, help us to consider our ways and put You first in everything we do. Show us where our hearts have wandered, and help us build Your work with joy. Thank You for being with us every day. Amen.
